How To Test For A Broken Timing Belt (1996-2007 2.4L Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan)

Diagnosing a broken timing belt on a 2.4L Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth minivan isn't as difficult as it might seem.

In this tutorial, I'll show you two simple and reliable ways to test for a broken timing belt —step-by-step— without having to remove the upper timing cover to check the belt's condition.

Whether you're a DIYer or an experienced tech, these tests will help you quickly confirm if the timing belt is the reason your engine won't start.

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• 2.4L Chrysler Voyager: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.
• 2.4L Dodge Caravan: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
• 2.4L Dodge Grand Caravan: 1996, 1997.
• 2.4L Plymouth Voyager: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.
• 2.4L Plymouth Grand Voyager: 1996, 1997.

ENGINE NO-START DIAGNOSTICS:

• How To Test An Engine No-Start (1996-2007 2.4L Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).

Symptoms Of A Broken Timing Belt

When the timing belt breaks on your 2.4L Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth minivan, it'll cause an immediate no‑start condition. The engine will crank normally —but no matter how long you crank, it won't start.

That's because the timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshafts. When it breaks, the camshafts stop turning, so the intake and exhaust valves no longer open and close in sync with the pistons. Even though this is a non‑interference engine (meaning the pistons won't hit the valves), the engine won't fire because air, fuel, and spark are no longer properly timed.

Here are the most common symptoms of a broken timing belt:

• Fast cranking speed: Engine cranks fast and evenly, but won't start.
• 0 PSI compression: No compression (all cylinders).
• No spark: The ignition coil pack isn't creating/delivering spark to the spark plugs (because the camshaft and crankshaft signals no longer match).

You Don't Have To Remove The Upper Timing Belt Cover

Back in the day (with the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine), these minivans used to have an upper timing belt cover with a small round observation hole in it.

That little hole (normally plugged) was put there for a reason —you could pop the plug out and see the rotation of the camshaft gear as the engine was cranking. It made diagnosing a broken timing belt a lot faster and easier.

Well —on the 2.4L engine, they decided it wasn't worth the pennies to include that round cam gear observation hole in the upper timing cover. So no easy peek hole here.

Thankfully, you don't have to remove the upper timing cover to diagnose a broken timing belt. And let me tell you —removing that cover just to check for a broken belt is a process (aka: pain in the neck) that you can easily avoid.

The two checks I'm going to show you in this tutorial will help you find out if the t-belt is busted —and save you a lot of time and hassle.

TEST 1: Checking The Rotation Of The Intake Camshaft

The fastest way that I've checked for a broken timing belt, is removing the CMP sensor and checking to see if the target magnet on the camshaft spins when my helper cranks the engine.

I'll explain: The 2.4L engine is a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design —it has an intake camshaft and an exhaust camshaft that are driven by the timing belt.

The intake camshaft is the camshaft that the camshaft position (CMP) sensor monitors. On the end of the intake camshaft (facing the CMP sensor), there's a small part called the "target magnet". It's bolted directly to the camshaft with a single bolt through the center of the magnet.

Since the target magnet is bolted to the camshaft —and the camshaft is spun by the timing belt— the target magnet rotates any time the engine is cranking.

If the target magnet doesn't spin (when cranking the engine), the timing belt is likely broken (or stripped).

This is one of the simplest and fastest ways to check if the timing belt is still intact —without having to tear the engine down. Here's how to do it:

1. Remove the air cleaner assembly (to gain access to the CMP sensor).
2. Disconnect the CMP sensor's electrical connector.
3. Remove the CMP sensor from its mounting.
4. Have a helper crank the engine while you watch through the CMP sensor opening.
5. The CMP sensor target magnet should rotate as the engine cranks. If the magnet doesn't move —the timing belt is broken.

In the next section, I'll show you another test you can do to double‑check for a broken timing belt.

TEST 2: Removing The Valve Cover —Checking Camshaft Rotation

This test takes a little more work, but it gives you a more visual confirmation of whether the timing belt is intact. In this test, you'll remove the valve cover so you can see if both camshafts are turning when the engine rotates.

To get to the valve cover, you'll need to remove the upper intake manifold (also called the intake plenum). Here's an important point —once the plenum is removed, the lower intake runners will be wide open.

This is where you'll need to take an important precaution: temporarily reinstall the intake plenum onto the lower intake manifold. Why? Because cranking the engine with those runners exposed could easily suck debris into the cylinders and cause serious damage.

When reinstalling the upper intake plenum, you don't need to torque it down —just snug the bolts enough to hold it in place and seal off the runners.

Once the valve cover is removed and it's safe to turn the engine, here's what you're looking for:

• Good: Both camshafts (intake and exhaust) should rotate smoothly.
• Bad: If neither camshaft moves, the timing belt is broken.

Here's the step-by-step:

1. Remove the upper intake manifold (plenum) for access.
2. Remove the spark plug wires.
3. Remove the valve cover.
4. Install the intake manifold plenum (to keep debris from falling into the open intake runners).
5. Safely rotate the engine —either by hand at the crankshaft pulley or by temporarily reinstalling the plenum and using the starter.
6. Watch both camshafts —they should both rotate. If not, the timing belt is broken or stripped.

This is one of the most reliable ways to confirm a timing belt failure —especially if TEST 1 gave unclear results or if you want to be absolutely sure before proceeding with repairs.

More 2.4L Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan Tutorials

I've written several more tutorials for the 2.4L Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth minivans that you might find helpful. You can browse them all in this index:

• 2.4L Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test The TPS (1998-2000 2.4L Dodge, Plymouth Mini-Van).
• Testing The Crankshaft Position Sensor -P0320 (1996-2002 2.4L Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Grand Voyager).
• How To Test The Fuel Pump (2001-2005- 2.4L Chrysler Voyager And Dodge Caravan).
• How To Find Out If The Catalytic Converter Is Bad (1996-2007 2.4L Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Grand Voyager).